TRANSLATION OF FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE FROM ENGLISH TO
MALAY: AN ANALYSIS OF THE TRANSLATION OF THE HARRY
POTTER SERIES
1
PUTERI ROSLINA ABDUL WAHID
Department of Malay Language Academy of Malay Studies, University of Malaya
E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract- The field of translation has become one of the activities that give great importance to the world.
Translation allows us to communicate despite language and cultural differences. In the process of translating
from a source language to the target language, the culture of that language is often a problem with the translator.
In translating the figurative language, not only requires the knowledge of the language and cultures of both
source and target language, but also about choosing the appropriate word and appropriate translation strategies.
The objective of this paper was to analyze the translation of figurative language found in the original text into
the target text and the translation strategies used by translators to interpret figurative language. For this purpose,
the researcher has chosen the texts from the famous Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling which had been
translated by Pelangi Sdn Bhd. Findings show that three categories of figurative language seem to be dominant,
namely idioms, simile and metaphors. The most translation strategy used is maintaining the image of the
figurative elements of the English language. If a translation of figurative language is not done efficiently and
resembles the original text, it will affect the overall presentation of the work.
Index terms- translation, figurative language, idiom, metaphor, simile, Harry Potter, Malay language
According to Nida (1975), the figurative word refers
to a word which is used in place of another meaning
or expression which is not its synonym but with
which it has an association of ideas often mediated
through a supplementary component such as idioms,
simile and metaphors. In translating the figurative
language, not only requires the knowledge of the
language and cultures of both source and
target language, but also choosing the appropriate
word and translation strategies.
I. INTRODUCTION
Translation is not only a part of applied linguistics
that includes methods and techniques, but it is an
activity in the dissemination of knowledge throughout
the world. Translation is an interpreting activity from
a source text (ST) and to reproduce the target text
(TT) in another language. The aim is to produce a
translated texts which carries the same meaning as the
original text. Translation allows us to communicate
despite language and cultural differences.
This paper discusses the translation of figurative
language in the translation texts of the Harry Potter
and the Deathly Hallows (2007) produced by J. K.
Rowling. The author selects three aspects of
figurative language, namely idioms, simile, and
metaphors.
Catford (1965:20) defines translation as the
replacement of textual material in one language
(source language) by equivalent textual material in
another language (target language). Larson (1998)
stated that the goal of the translator is to translate the
meaning (message) of the source text into the natural
forms of the receptor language.
II. DEFINITIONS OF IDIOMS, SIMILE AND
METAPHORS
In the process of translating from a source language
to the target language, the culture of that language is
often a problem with the translator. In reality, we may
not be able to produce translations that are similar to
the original text. This is because the translation is not
merely transferring words, but we also transfer the
information embedded in language, especially the
figurative language. Montgomery et.al (2007) stated
that figurative language refers to the use of words or
phrases that implies a non-literal meaning which does
make sense or that could [also] be true. Whenever
someone describes something by comparing it with
something else, that person is using figurative
language.
According to Webster's Dictionary, an idiom is
defined as: peculiar to itself either grammatically (as
no, it wasn't me) or in having a meaning that cannot
be derived from the conjoined meanings of its
elements. The idiom is an expression having a special
meaning different from the usual meanings of the
words.
Idioms are expressions of at least two words which
cannot be understood literally and which function as a
unit semantically (Beekman and Callow 1974:121).
Meanwhile Larson (1998:142), stresses that idioms
are a string of words whose meaning is different from
the meaning conveyed by the individual words. He
Proceedings of Research World International Conference, Phuket, Thailand, 9th-10th February, 2017, ISBN: 978-93-86083-34-0
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Translation of Figurative Language From English to Malay: An Analysis of The Translation of The Harry Potter Series
also stated that idioms carry certain emotive
connotations not expressed in the other lexical items.
Idioms cannot translate literally.
Abrams and Harpham (2012) stated that a simile is a
comparison between two distinctly different things
and it uses uses the words “like” or “as” to compare
one object or idea with another to suggest they are
alike.
In a definition given by Larson idiom is “a string
of words whose meaning is different from the
meaning
conveyed by the individual words” (Larson, 1984,
p.20). In another place he states that idiom “carries
certain emotive
connotations not expressed in the other lexical items”
(Larson, 1984, p.142).
In a definition given by Larson idiom is “a string
of words whose meaning is different from the
meaning
conveyed by the individual words” (Larson, 1984,
p.20). In another place he states that idiom “carries
certain emotive
connotations not expressed in the other lexical items”
(Larson, 1984, p.142).
In a definition given by Larson idiom is “a string
of words whose meaning is different from the
meaning
conveyed by the individual words” (Larson, 1984,
p.20). In another place he states that idiom “carries
certain emotive
connotations not expressed in the other lexical items”
(Larson, 1984, p.142).
In a definition given by Larson idiom is “a string
of words whose meaning is different from the
meaning
conveyed by the individual words” (Larson, 1984,
p.20). In another place he states that idiom “carries
certain emotive
connotations not expressed in the other lexical items”
(Larson, 1984, p.142).
Nida (1964) stated that metaphor is a figurative
expression used instead of another to make an
implicit comparison between the items referred to by
two expressions, often based upon supplementary
components. An expression in every way similar,
except that the comparison is explicit is simile.
Cameron (1999) gives another meaning to metaphor
when he stated that metaphors will of course be
similes, and similes are metaphors that invite an
explanation. According to Larson, in English, a simile
always has the word like or as. Metaphors do not
have the word like or as, but they are also
comparisons that can often be rewritten as similes.
(Larson, 1998:271)
translation that involves figurative language as found
in the poems, lyrics and any text involving cultural
elements require consideration and attention
especially in interpreting the meaning.
Ruchirawan (1984) in his thesis entitled Towards a
Descriptive Model of Thai-English Translation
review the translating process from Thai to English
and from English into Thai. He discussed problems in
the translation process. The problems are in the
process of translating in view to the aspects of
linguistics. These problems are at the level of word
and sentence. This process is reviewed by three steps,
namely, analysis, transfer and restructuring. based on
the studies, the most suitable model for the
contrastive analysis of the Thai-English language is
the logical semantic effect of prediction analysis by
Leech (1974).
Tan (1986) in his thesis entitled Problems in
Translation and Their Implications For Language
Instructional Materials Production focuses on the
problem in translation, Chinese-English and
recommended techniques to solve the problem and
the implications of methods and materials for
language teaching. In the study, he reviewed the
twelve types of syntactic structures in Chinese and
English, the similarities and differences, suggesting
ways to overcome the structural differences in the
translation and noted the need for a good translation.
He found that there were many mistakes in the
translation, Chinese-English. The errors include three
aspects, namely, syntax, vocabulary, and semantics.
III. LITERATURE REVIEW
Baker (1992) in her book, In Other Words: A
Coursebook on Translation assume idioms and
expressions as two different categories under multi
words. Baker lists four difficulties in translating the
figurative language. First, a figurative language has
no equivalent in the target language. Second, a figure
of speech might have the same equivalent in the
target language, but may vary with the context. Third,
a figure of speech in the source language may be
translated literally and idiomatic in the target
language. Fourth, the use of figurative language in
writing discourse, context and frequency of usage
may differ with the source language and the target
language. Baker also suggested two strategies for
translating the figurative language. First, using a
figure of speech that is similar in meaning and form.
Second, the use of figurative language is similar
in meaning, but differ in form and the last is
translated by the paraphrase. According to Baker,
translation by paraphrasing is most often used when
an equivalence match cannot be found in the target
language.
Bassnett in her Translation Studies (1980) focus on
the concept of equivalence when she discusses the
translation figurative language. According to her, a
Nord (2001) in his book Translating as a Purposeful
Activity Approaches Explained introduced a
functionalist approach in translation.The functional
Proceedings of Research World International Conference, Phuket, Thailand, 9th-10th February, 2017, ISBN: 978-93-86083-34-0
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Translation of Figurative Language From English to Malay: An Analysis of The Translation of The Harry Potter Series
approach means that each translation process does not
only translate the language, but also the concept of a
term in the source text. According to Nord,
translation is an intermediary between the two
languages and two different cultures, translation
within the same language and culture (intercultural)
and translation of two languages and different
cultures (cross-cultural or cross cultural). He also
discussed the Skopos theory. The Skopos theory also
emphasizes the difference between the types of
text. Nord (2005: 37-38) states that the typology of
text that is often used in the context of Skopos theory
is informative text (informing the audience about
objects and phenomenon in the real world),
expressive texts (informative aspect combined with
the aesthetic component), operative text (both
meaning and form are subordinated to the effects
extralinguistic). He also states that the translator is
not always able to determine the purpose of a
translation of the source text into the target language
and therefore, the translator requires a clue.
Therefore, translation is no longer determined by the
principle of equivalence, but based on the adequacy
in accordance with the directions of translation.
However, the production of the translation must be
logical or coherent.
Ragavan (1991) in his thesis entitled The Translation
of Metaphors: A Text Analysis of The Good Earth,
The Great Gatsby, The Moon and Sixpence and In
Dubious Battle have studied the relationship between
the metaphor in English and the Malay translation.
He analysed the relationship between metaphor in
two ways, namely the form of a metaphor of the
source language and the translation in the target
language, and the second, the translation procedures
employed by the translator. He found that most
metaphors changes in their form in the source
language. His research also found that cultural factors
are not an obstacle to the process of translating a
metaphor from English to Malay.
specific image from the source language into the
target language will have a negative impact on the
target reader if it’s not correctly translated. This is
because the translators might have misinterpreted the
use of images that are specific to a source language
and cultural resources. For example the word ‘snow’
to refer to 'white as snow' in the ST (source texts).
The term 'snow' is not understood by the audience
because this element is not in the culture. To
overcome misinterpretation of the meaning, the
translator had to use a term that is familiar or image
in the target language and can be understood by the
audience in the target texts (TT). The word 'snow'
from the ST can be replaced by the word ‘kapas’ or
cotton which symbolizes something pure or sincerity.
There are issues of words with the same images, but
different meanings. This is because when the same
image is used, yet due to the difference in meaning
between
the two languages,
will
cause
misunderstanding when translating.
V. PURPOSE AND RESEARCH
MEHOLODOLY STUDY
The objective of this study was to analyse the
translation and the strategies used to interpret the
figurative language. For this purpose, the researcher
has chosen the English novel of the Harry Potter
series by JK Rowling which had been translated by
Pelangi Sdn Bhd. In general, the study was conducted
using the library and a texts analysis research
methodology. The study only focused on figurative
language and the translation strategies used by the
translator.
VI. FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION
Of the eight categorization was stated by Seidl and
Mcmordie (1978), only six categorization used in
the novel, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,
namely (1) the informal idioms; (2) verbal idioms; (3)
idiomatic pairs; (4) idioms used in special field; (5)
idioms related to special themes; and (6) idioms
containing special keywords. For comparison idiom,
will be discussed under similes. Examples of
identified idioms in the texts are as follows.
From this literature review, it was concluded that
there are gaps in studies before, is not many studies
related to figurative language translation from
English to Malay. Therefore, researchers feel that
there is a need to study the figurative language
translation from English to Malay.
IV. PROBLEM STATEMENT
The use of figurative language in the Malay
community had been for centuries, especially in the
works of literary texts. It is intended to express
something implicitly and for more effective impact
on its readers. Problems arise when there are cultural
differences between the English and Malay texts. In
the process of translation, the translator as possible as
he or she could, will try to maintain the figurative
language of the source texts. Each word represents a
specific meaning in the language. The use of a
Proceedings of Research World International Conference, Phuket, Thailand, 9th-10th February, 2017, ISBN: 978-93-86083-34-0
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Translation of Figurative Language From English to Malay: An Analysis of The Translation of The Harry Potter Series
The idiom the tip of the dungheap’s derived from the
tip of the iceberg. The idiom meaning a problem,
things or situations that are seen as a small thing,
but deep inside, there is a bigger issue than what it
seems to be. The idiom yanking your wand is
modified from the actual idiom, which is yanking
your chain. The idiom meaning to say something is
not right with the intention solely as a prank. The
translator did not translate the two idioms as a literal
translation, but chooses the Malay word which gave a
similar meaning to the actual situation.
translated as “pucat seperti mayat” and “nutty as
squirrel poo” translated as “agak sewel”. The use of
the word to describe the state of Harry's pale as a
result of the pain of the scars suffered by him. The
simile in Malay is easily understood by the audience
because of the cultural item associated with the
Malay society. For the simile, "nutty as squirrel
poo", the original author has made changes to the
similes, the original similes are nutty as a fruitcake.
These changes occur related to the original author's
imagination
within
her
surroundings
and
environments. The translators have used the word
'sewel' to translate nutty as squirrel poo. The wording
'sewel' by the translator is equivalent to the meaning
to be conveyed by the original author's meaning is not
so sane or insane.
An example of a verbal idiom is, out of sight is
used to mean someone who will be quickly forgotten
when he or she was not together anymore. The idiom
coined by the author, namely Merlin's beard, which
aims to express the feeling of surprise. The author
also uses Merlin's pant for the same meaning. The
translators have used the word ‘astaga’ as a word that
replaces 'Merlin's beard'. In the Kamus Dewan
Bahasa (2010), the word 'astaga' is synonymous with
‘astaghfirullah’. This word is not appropriate because
the word is not to be used based on the context of the
narrative in the novel. This is because, in order to
facilitate the reader's objectives, namely multi-ethnic
society in Malaysia can understand the context of
sentences in the novel. For idiom in a particular area,
the skyrocketing which is an idiom often used in
business meaning importing such a price is soaring or
very expensive. According to Larson (1998 : 48-49),
a literal word-for-word translation of the idioms into
another language will not make sense. The form
cannot be kept, but the receptor language word or
phrase which has the equivalent meaning will be the
correct one to use in translation.
In translating metaphor, translators often maintain a
metaphorical expression with the same image or
substituting different metaphor in the target language
that carries the same meaning as the metaphor in the
source language. Metaphors can be maintained if it
suits the target language. This means that if the
expression is properly understood by the target
audience, the metaphor can be translated directly into
the target language metaphor (Larson, 1998: 279).
Examples are as follows.
The translator was translating the metaphor to
maintain the image of the SL metaphor literally. The
image translation of "spineless worm" to
"cacing lembek" resembles the same image in the TT.
The translated image is associated with the image of
the target culture and it can be accepted or understood
by the reader of the TT.
Dung bomb is translated to “bom najis”. According
to Kamus Dwibahasa Oxford Fajar Edisi Keempat
(2006), dung means “tahi binatang” (2006:121),while
bomb means bom (2006:44). In this case, the
translator chose to use the word “najis” compared to
“tahi” maybe because the choice of words was more
polite than the word “tahi”. In the TT, the word bomb
is suitable as a comparison with the bad news about
Dumbledore.
The word “vulture” is translated as ‘burung hering”.
The translators chose not to change the image
that represents the word “vulture” and do not give an
explanation about the image because the image is
already being understood by the reader, which refer
to the character Rita Skeeter who is similar to a
vulture.
In translation, there is the possibility for translators to
translate the metaphor of the source language text
into a simile. The strategy of translating metaphor to
simile by using the word 'like' or 'as' to express the
Translation of similes mostly maintains the image or
element of the ST. This occurs because to facilitate
the understanding and the message to be conveyed in
the narrative so that it can be delivered effectively.
Examples are as follows.
One of the strategy employs by the translator is using
a simile of similar meaning and form. The phrase
“sitting like a child” has a similar meaning with
“duduk seperti kanak-kanak”. Both the English and
Malay simile refer to the same meaning of similar
lexical item.
Another strategy is using a simile of similar meaning,
but dissimilar form. This is the most common way of
translating when it is inappropriate to use this form
in the target language. Examples are ‘white as sheet”
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Translation of Figurative Language From English to Malay: An Analysis of The Translation of The Harry Potter Series
relation between the subject and the image was
proposed by Larson (1998).
language is a language that is difficult to understand
by those who are less aware of the meaning that
embedded in the words or phrases.
REFERENCES
[1]
The metaphor of 'a rippling scarlet caterpillar' is
translated as 'seperti beluncas merah yang beralunalun” in the TT. The translators translate the
metaphor as a simile in Malay by adding the word
'seperti' which means 'like' in English. While the
translators have made changes in the target text, the
message conveyed by the original author is still
retained and understood by the readers of the TT.
According to Larson (1998), a metaphor can also be
translated without keeping the image of the metaphor.
This means that the translator can ignore the image in
the ST and translate the meaning directly with or
without the use of metaphor. For example the phrase
“that muck” translated as “surat khabar picisan”. The
translators chose to explain the meaning of the image
and also to maintain the image of metaphor so that
the translation is understood by the readers. Topics
for the above metaphor is a newspaper and its image
is 'muck' equivalent to 'dirt' in the Malay language.
However, the the translators chose the word 'picisan'
to replace the 'dirt'. The choice of the
word still carries the same meaning, referring to the
press.
[2]
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[4]
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[11]
[12]
[13]
CONCLUSION
Translation of figurative language should be handled
carefully and thoroughly in order to ensure the
message is conveyed. This is crucial for the target
reader with no knowledge or cultural backgrounds of
the English. The choice of strategy is also very
important in order to maintain the style of writing the
ST. The translators have to choose or use words that
are easily understood by the target language
community, namely Malay. The translators also used
the literal strategy in translating the novel, which
replaces the word phrase in a paragraph without
having to make major changes to the structure of the
novel. As a conclusion, translating figurative
language needs a deep understanding and should be
interpreted to get the actual meaning. Figurative
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